Giving Back and Paying Forward
In this literary world, a rising tide lifts all boats
Very often, we hear sayings like “It takes a village to…” Supporting each other in whatever ways possible is a hallmark of a successful community and of successful individuals.
I firmly believe that in the literary world, a rising tide lifts all boats. We love literature for reasons. If we, the authors, writers, readers, editors, and critics, help each other, then we can make this literary world even more lovely, and in turn, make the world we live in a better place.
#1. An Effort with Three Goals
I had three goals when I conceived the idea of an anthology in 2023, following the publication of my debut book, Las Crosses. All of these goals are ways of paying back for the benefit I had received from the instructors and fellow writers at Central New York YMCA’s Downtown Writing Center (DWC) during the six years I was learning creative writing:
Offer DWC writers a platform to share their own stories, to foster dialogue and understanding across cultures and times,
Benefit the Writers Center with the profit from book sales, and
Encourage all writers to pay it forward by being generous with their time and effort to help promote each other’s work whenever possible.
The responses to the anthology idea were overwhelming.
Georgia A. Popoff, 2024 Poet Laureate Fellow of Onondaga County, NY, was very kind, supportive, and instrumental in making the two volumes happen. Along the way, the two volumes also benefited from volunteers such as Kevin Morrow (provided two of his photographs used in the book covers), Susan Keeter (designed both book covers), Phil Memmer (founder of DWC who wrote the foreword for 28 Voices), Gwenlyn Davis (wrote the foreword of 37 More Voices and guest edited for 28 Voices), and Sarah Mawhorter (guest edited for 28 Voices). I did my part as a co-editor and the publisher. All of these efforts are donations with no monetary compensation. The volunteers received only complimentary copies of the book and book-related goodies as a token of appreciation for their talent, time, and effort. And more than 80 DWC writers submitted their drafts for consideration for the two volumes.
There was a loss from publishing 28 Voices.
We learned a lot and published 37 More Voices. And, there is a profit! It is exactly like the saying: it takes a village to successfully publish these two volumes in the Voices Heard Anthology Series.
Looking back at my goals, #1 is accomplished: 65 pieces (66 authors) are published. The majority of these writers became published authors for the first time.
#2 is accomplished. I am working with leaders of DWC, now renamed as YMCA Writers Voice, on the best way of using this profit. Stay tuned for details.
#3 is up in the air and up to the involved authors, as well as other writers and book lovers.
I continue to encourage you, my friend, an enthusiast of literature, to consider donating your time and effort to support each other. You can provide feedback to a draft from a writer, submit a rating of published books, or write a positive review or pass positive words to your circle of friends if you really enjoy the books. Each of these acts may not take too much time or effort. But collectively, they make a huge difference.
I also encourage you to let your voice be heard! Write, comment, or discuss your ideas. Tell your story or the stories of those you know. Everyone has worthy stories to tell. Reach out to people or places that may offer assistance. Reach out to The Writers Voice of Central NY, formerly YMCA DWC, where many writers and I benefited. Reach out to me if you want some feedback.
The more we share and understand each other, the better.
#2. Call for Recipients of Book Donations
I want to continue donating my books to relevant organizations and individuals who may have limited funds for buying books.
I would like to ask you to help. If you know such organizations or individuals, please forward their contact information to me so that I can reach out to them. In return for your recommendation, I offer you a free eBook of any of the books I have published so far.
The following are the donation recipients of my books so far:
Public libraries in central NY, including Syracuse, DeWitt, Manlius, Liverpool, Baldwinsville, and Jamesville
Syracuse University library
New Mexico State University (NMSU) Library
Mexico, NY Public School District
Indie bookstores in the Syracuse surrounding area
An indie bookstore in Troy, NY
Cafes and hotels in several cities in New York State
Undergraduate and graduate students at Syracuse University
Several individuals who visited local author book events
Senior communities in Las Vegas, NV
#3. Mother of Red Mountains Won the International Impact Book Award
I am extremely honored and humbled that my first historical novel, Mother of Red Mountains (you can also visit https://geni.us/MotherofRedMountains), won the Historical Fiction/Multicultural Fiction Award at the International Impact Book Awards! https://internationalimpactbookawards.com/february-2026-winners-page/.
The reactions to this book have been overwhelmingly positive since its publication in December 2024. Ten award agencies have recognized it, and several of them have given it multiple accolades. The reviews at Amazon and Goodreads are largely heartwarming. I thank the judges of the awards and the readers for their appreciation and support.
If you have read the book and enjoyed it, I hope you can review it and/or recommend it so that many others can find it and enjoy it.
Until next time, my friend. Enjoy the early spring! I hope the worst of the weather in your region is behind you, and the better and best are to come.
Congrats on your successful launch of these anthologies, and on your book’s award recognition! I thoroughly agree with your sentiment that community helps us all thrive.